We have just been saddened by the death of one of the early believers in the Benabena but rejoice that he has been promoted to glory. Kokere has been a faithful believer since we first presented the gospel in 2006. Recently he started coming to us with two other believers for teaching but became ill and wasn’t able to come. His health deteriorated until he was taken to hospital.

On Monday I (David) went in to the hospital to see him only to be told that he had already died the day before (New Years Day). The hospital said that he died from kidney failure. His family (extended family) were gathered in a park near the hospital so I went around and met with them for a while. Yesterday they held the funeral at Katagu so I went out and spent most of the day with them. It was late afternoon by the time they buried him so after that I came home. Today they will cook a large mumu and give food out to those who came to the funeral. I will go out and hopefully get some time with the other believers. I have been going out and working with Buka on Bible translation. I am hoping to get Heti involved too and soon have a completed Romans translation.

Please pray for the remaining believers there at Katagu and for the Koropa people who have not had the opportunity to hear gospel yet.

With love from

Dave and Wendy